Rita Koehler (b. 1966) is an American photographer and lens-based artist from Kansas City, Missouri, currently based in the Rust Belt city of South Bend, IN. She received her BA in Psychology and Theology from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN, completed her MFA in Visual Studies from Lesley University College of Art and Design, and completed a Certificate Program in Curatorial Studies through the University of Chicago.
Koehler’s broad career spans a diverse spectrum of industry sectors that include family services, finance, marketing and communications, education, commercial, political, and creative fields. Her decades of experience working with varying populations, disparate economic and cultural situations motivate Koehler to examine how political, economic, and religious structures are used to control others in defense of misogyny, racism, and bigotry. Koehler situates herself as artist in the debate of what constitutes an intelligible life – one that is speakable, has meaning, and is valued. The philosophy of her work is based on the premise that existence is relational and that to exist means to exist in communion.
Recent residencies include The Center Program at Hyde Park Arts Center, Chicago; The Wild Residency, Venice, Italy; and National Performance Network Residency through 516 Arts in Albuquerque, NM. Koehler’s body of work Rite of Ordinary: Interior Indiana is in the permanent collection of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction.
